SLIPPERY ROCK
S UNIVERSITY J
Hw 1889-1989 aY*

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A
Century of Excellence
he year 1989 is an auspicious year
for Slippery Rock University. It is the
year of its centenary. In the celebration of
this important event, there is a nostalgia in
recalling the changes since its founding.
From its transformation as a normal school
to that of a university in 1983, numerous
events of significance have occurred.

n February 1, 1889, the state superintendent of public
instruction granted authorization for the institution to
operate as the normal school for the Slippery Rock District. Its
first principal, Dr. James E. Morrow, grandfather of Anne
Morrow Lindberg, presided over 168 students in the spring
semester of 1889. By the fall semester there was a dramatic
increase to 300 students. It was certainly an affordable educa­
tion. The cost of attendance was minuscule, compared to the
cost of an education today. The fee for the fall, 1889 semester of
16 weeks was $52, which included tuition, room and board, and
use of textbooks. To teach in Pennsylvania's public schools,
students were required to complete a two-year program of
studies. For a total cost of approximately $200 students could
complete the teacher education program to enter the profession
of teaching. At the conclusion of that first year, Dr. Morrowresigned. His replacement, Dr. Albert Elias Maltby, served the
institution for 26 years, until 1916.
In a patriarchal sense
Dr. Maltby presided over these formative years, laying a firm
foundation and providing a solid sense of direction. He was
highly regarded as an educator, achieving considerable stature
in the profession of education, both regionally and throughout
the commonwealth. Through his leadership the normal school at
Slippery Rock was recognized for its fine programs in teacher
education. Enrollment increased and the physical plant spread
across the upper campus. During his administration the school
moved into the twentieth century with a reputation of excellence
in its singular mission in teacher education.
Early in his
tenure, Dr. Maltby, recognizing the need for more building
space, proposed a structure that would serve a multi-purpose
function, including space for classrooms and administrative
offices. Completed in 1892, the building, subsequently named
"Old Main" and still standing today, became -the center of
campus life. Dr. Maltby was instrumental, too, in shaping, with

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other normal school principals, the school's curriculum, which
was expanded to include courses in English grammar, arithme­
tic, natural sciences, history of education, practice teaching,
culturally-related courses, manual training, and domestic
science.
In 1916 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
purchased all of the privately owned stock of the Slippery Rock
Normal School Association. By this action the school moved to
state control with a 9-member Board of Trustees appointed by
the governor. That same year Dr. Maltby retired and was
replaced by Dr. Linwood Eisenberg, who arrived on a campus
with six buildings: North Hall, South Hall, the Chapel, the Main
Building, the Demonstration School, and West Gymnasium.
Today, only two of these buildings remain: Old Main and West
Gymnasium, which were built in 1892 and 1906 respectively.
During Eisenberg's presidency in 1927, the name of the normal
school was changed to the State Teachers College at Slippery
Rock to reflect the four-year curriculum. ^fT The cataclysmic
effects of the Great Depression and World War II placed great
stresses on the young school, as did the unprecedented post-war
enrollment increases. But with the resilience and dedication of
its staff and students, the school endured and prevailed and
emerged a stronger, more vibrant institution. Appointed in 1956
as its ninth president. Dr. Norman Weisenfluh initiated major
improvements in the physical plant to rectify the effects of
dormancy caused by fiscal exigencies. Having received funds for
the construction of a men's dormitory and an auditorium, he
proposed, in an intrepid plan, additional buildings: dormitories,
classroom building, field house, student community center,
library addition, administration building, dining hall, and a
maintenance building, all of which were necessary to accommo­
date the increasing enrollments.
Based in a rich tradition
of teacher education and firmly committed to expanding its
curricular offerings to meet societal needs, the school, by

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legislative decree, was authorized to grant baccalaureate and
master's degrees in the arts and sciences in addition to teacher
education. To reflect this development the State Teachers
College at Slippery Rock became Slippery Rock State Collegeon
January 8. 1960. /Sr The next two decades saw a tremendous
expansion in academic programs and facilities as the institution
moved toward university status. Harner Residence Hall was
completed in 1965, and the followingyear construction began on
Maltbv Library (upper campus), the World Cultures Building,
and the University Union, all to meet the needs of a continuing,
expanding enrollment. In 1962, Slippery Rock began offering
courses leading to baccalaureate^degrees in humanities, social
sciences, and natural sciences.
With increasing number of
students the university continued its diversity of program
offerings. In 1973 alone, for example, master's degrees were
introduced in biology, English, social studies, physical science
and education. And, in 1976 bachelor's degrees were introduced
in computer science, economics and business, music therapy,
public administration and social welfare. Most recently, within
the past three years, bachelor's degrees in dance, fine arts, and
theatre were added, as well as a master's degree in physical
therapy. fa
Along with program and facility enhancements,
the university has kept pace with auxiliary programs and
extensive technological and computer equipment to enhance the
learning environment. The Bailey Library, constructed in 1971,
is one of the largest in western Pennsylvania. The computer and
science laboratories, TV studios, and AM/FM radio stations all
have state of the art equipment for undergraduate student
use. fa
Slippery Rock University provides extensive and
diverse learning opportunities. For example, it encourages its
students to take advantage of the numerous international study
opportunities to gain a better understanding of the world and its
people. Currently, SRU students can study in 12 countries

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through student exchange programs, student teaching intern­
ships. or by agreements with foreign universities. ^ That
Slippery Rock University has emerged into an institution of
diversity with 3 undergraduate colleges and a graduateschool is
an evolvement occasioned by careful nurturing. The designation
"college- was simply inadequate to reflect the complexity and
expansiveness of its operation. In responding to this need, the
Pennsylvania General Assembly, in 1982, passed Act 188,
which created the State System of Higher Education. By this
enactment the 14 state-owned institutions moved from under
direct control of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
(For Slippery Rock University that control covered 66 years).
Reporting to the Board of Governors through a chancellor,
the system universities gained a greater autonomy in
determining goals and missions and the means for their achieve­
ment.
Appointed 13th president on July 1,1985, Dr. Robert
N. Aebersold served the university in key positions for 17 years
prior to assuming the presidency. Adhering to the belief that the
integrity of the university is tied to the intellectual development
of its students, President Aebersold has given an abiding
devotion to effect that accomplishment. In his investiture speech
he stated that the academy will have no function or honor worthy
of its name until it is prepared to restore education to its central
purpose: the molding of persons rather than the dissemination
of information. A person of strength and conviction and humane­
ness, Dr. Aebersold has worked indefatigably for a rapproche­
ment among all members of the university community. He has
inspired a dedication and cooperativeness in advancing the
university to new heights of development. In that ambiance he
has provoked thought, encouraged debate, faced definition, and
nurtured institutional dialogue on significant educational issues.
I his will set the tone for continued accomplishment; this will
auger well for Slippery Rock University on the threshold of
century twenty-one.

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY
of Pennsylvania of the State System of Higher Education

SLIPPERY ROCK, PENNSYLVANIA 16057-1326
412-794-2510

UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG
1989-91
Produced under the supervision of Slippery Rock University's office of the Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Cover aerial view of Slippery Rock University (C) through the courtesy of Mr. Dan Amerson

SLIPPERY R O C K UNIVERSITY
SLIPPERY ROCK. PENNSYLVANIA 1 6 0 5 7

Dear Students:
With t h i s e d i t i o n o f t h e u n d e r g r a d u a t e c a t a l o g , S l i p p e r y Rock
U n i v e r s i t y marks i t s c e n t e n a r y .
Founded i n 1 8 8 9 . t h e i n s t i t u t i o n has
e x p e r i e n c e d phenomenal g r o w t h - - f r o m i t s b e g i n n i n g a s a normal school
w i t h a s i n g u l a r emphasis i n t e a c h e r e d u c a t i o n t o a u n i v e r s i t y with
m u l t i p l e f o c i i n o v e r 60 d e g r e e p r o g r a m s .
T h e s e c h a n g e s and the present
c o n d i t i o n of e x c e l l e n c e o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y o c c u r r e d b e c a u s e t h e r e were
s t u d e n t s , p e r s o n n e l , a n d a l u m n i who d u r i n g t h e s e 100 y e a r s gave
unselfishly and unstintingly to advancing the institution.
With t h e r i c h n e s s o f t h i s t r a d i t i o n , I am p r i v i l e g e d a s president
to extend greetings on behalf of this exceptionally fine university.
There i s a w e a l t h o f r e s o u r c e s , i n c l u d i n g a h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d f a c u l t y , to
enhance and f a c i l i t a t e y o u r y e a r s o f s t u d y a t S l i p p e r y Rock University.
O p p o r t u n i t i e s , v a r i e d a n d e x t e n s i v e , e x i s t b o t h i n and o u t of c l a s s to
e x t e n d your knowledge i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r y o u r c a r e e r .
And t h i s w i l l be
a c c o m p l i s h e d i n a n i n t e l l e c t u a l e n v i r o n m e n t where a c a r i n g atmosphere
and e x t e n s i v e academic s u p p o r t s e r v i c e s e x i s t .
On t h e t h r e s h o l d o f t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y , t h e u n i v e r s i t y i s committed
to maintaining i t s reputation of excellence, a reputation that attracts
s t u d e n t s from o v e r 30 s t a t e s a n d 50 n a t i o n s .
With one f a c e of Janus
we c a n l o o k b a c k on 1 0 d e c a d e s o f p r o g r e s s t h a t form t h e foundation of
this fine university.
N u r t u r e d and s u s t a i n e d by t h i s h e r i t a g e we can
s e e w i t h t h e o t h e r f a c e o f J a n u s a f u t u r e o f p r o m i s e and prospect where
t h e u n i v e r s i t y w i l l b e a b u l w a r k o f s t r e n g t h i n s h a p i n g t h e l i v e s of i t s
s t u d e n t s . We w i l l n o t compromise t h a t commitment.
T h a t i s our promise
to you.
Come j o i n u s f o r a n e x c i t i n g i n t e l l e c t u a l a d v e n t u r e . Your
y e a r s o f s t u d y a t S l i p p e r y Rock U n i v e r s i t y w i l l make a d i f f e r e n c e in
your l i f e .
Sincerely,

R o b e r t N. A e b e r s o l d
President

SLIPPERY

R O C K U N I V E R S I T Y O F P E N N S Y L VA N C A O F T H E S T A T E S Y S T E M O F H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N

General Information — I

CONTENTS

General Information
The University
Admissions
Student Life
Fees and Financial Aid
Academic Procedures

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5
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Undergraduate Degree Programs
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Education and Human Service Professions
College of Information Science and Business Administration
Academic Departments and Courses

Faculty and Administration
Index

g
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189-190